Letter to the Editor

Students of today need to read news with a critical eye. It is vital to enhancg democracy and defeating narrow-mindedness. Students also need an understanding of the world’s economy, politics, social structures and environment in order to make the best decisions about how to live their own lives.

From Afghanistan to Iraq, current events have taken on special importance for young Americans living in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attacks. But, mounting pressure to meet state curriculum requirements and assessment tests means current events rarely get discussed thoroughly. Current events are something that can be used every day if a teacher has the skill and the imagination to connect the present to the past.

Being from a rural, high poverty area, it is not unusual for a student to let me know that he or she has never been outside of the county. Many times, the only window my students have to the outside world is in my classroom.

My students are trying to raise money for a weekly newsmagazine published by Time Magazine. TIME For Kids is a weekly classroom news magazine that motivates kids to read! Issues cover a wide range of real-world topics kids love to learn about – and it’s the best nonfiction text you’ll find! A powerful teaching tool, TIME For Kids builds reading and writing skills and is easily integrated across your curriculum, including social studies, science and math.

If you are interested in helping by either donating or spreading the word of this project through Facebook or Twitter- please go online to www.donorschoose.org/connell